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17 February 1887. Browning, Robert to de Vere, Aubrey Thomas.

17 February 1887. Browning, Robert to de Vere, Aubrey Thomas.

19, Warwick Crescent, W.
Feb. 17. ’87.
My dear De Vere,
I have too long delayed thanking you for your Brother’s book,—but I wanted time and was forced to wait for it. The translations are very good, I think—happy in many respects, and elegant everywhere. I cannot take his side of the question as to the propriety of any other than a literal translation except in such an instance as the present,—which I enjoy by constantly keeping in mind the original: if this were altogether unknown to me, and I needed to know Horace pure and simple, I should prefer the baldest word-for-word rendering—securing the truth and taking for granted the less important graces. You see, or rather, when I was once in Russia, I saw a vehicle drawn apparently by two horses,—whereof one stout fellow pulled the weight, while his slim neighbour cantered by his side as if pulling—Græcè, Παρήορος—very

19, Warwick Crescent, W.
Feb. 17. ’87.
My dear De Vere,
I have too long delayed thanking you for your Brother’s book,—but I wanted time and was forced to wait for it. The translations are very good, I think—happy in many respects, and elegant everywhere. I cannot take his side of the question as to the propriety of any other than a literal translation except in such an instance as the present,—which I enjoy by constantly keeping in mind the original: if this were altogether unknown to me, and I needed to know Horace pure and simple, I should prefer the baldest word-for-word rendering—securing the truth and taking for granted the less important graces. You see, or rather, when I was once in Russia, I saw a vehicle drawn apparently by two horses,—whereof one stout fellow pulled the weight, while his slim neighbour cantered by his side as if pulling—Græcè, Παρήορος—very